BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southwestern Athletic Conference released its 2016 SWAC Preseason Teams with Southern running back Lenard Tillery and Alabama State linebacker Kourtney Berry being tabbed for individual honors.

The teams were released during the 2016 SWAC Football Media Day after ballots were completed by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.

After leading the league in rushing en route to a second-straight first-team All-SWAC nod, Tillery was the voters’ favorite for the SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year award. For the third-straight year, Berry was tabbed as SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Tillery rushed for 1,211 yards on 197 carries (6.1 average) in 2015, scoring a SWAC-best 14 touchdowns on the ground for the Jaguars. He was the only runner to average 100 yards or better a game, posting an average of 110.1 yards per contest.

The Baton Rouge native is one of five Southern players on the preseason first-team offense, with quarterback Austin Howard, offensive linemen Anthony Mosely and Terrell Lee, tight end Dillon Beard and return specialist Willie Quinn.

Berry, who won the 2015 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year award, has led the SWAC in stops during each of his first three seasons. The Merrillville, Indiana, product accounted for a league-best 130 tackles and two fumble recoveries. He is a three-time First Team All-SWAC performer and has earned several pre-and post-season honors.

Kicker Marc Orozco (Grambling State) and punter Haiden McCraney (Alcorn State) were each tabbed as first team selections for special teams.

Two-time defending champion Alcorn State totaled 44 votes points as it was named the preseason favorite out of the East Division. Alabama State followed with 35 points, Jackson State received 28 points, followed by Alabama A&M (16) and Mississippi Valley State (12).

Out in the West Division, Prairie View A&M was chosen as the division favorite after amassing 41 points in the voting. Grambling State followed with 35 points, and Southern received 32 points. Texas Southern (16) and Arkansas Pine Bluff (11) rounded out the order of predicted finish.